Novare Surgical Systems Inc announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 6,544,274 covering the company's Cygnet line of dual-action surgical clamps for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, valve replacement surgery and aortic aneurysm repair. Designed to be either rigid or flexible, providing greater access to the surgical field, the Cygnet product line represents a key base-technology for extending Novare's products into new markets, including the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm.

Novare also announced it entered into a multiple-year supply agreement with Boston Scientific Corp. Under the agreement, Boston Scientific will purchase specially modified models of Novare's Intrack line of atraumatic surgical clamps and market them as part of Boston Scientific's new Cobra Bipolar System used treat atrial fibrillation using radio frequency waves. Atrial fibrillation affects two million people in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"The treatment of atrial fibrillation is a significant new market direction for Novare," said Kerry Pope, president and chief executive officer. "Novare's Cygnet technology provides the basis for ongoing development of our proprietary delivery system for minimally invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation. The Cygnet instrument is a flexible platform that can be adapted to any energy source."